2021 (4) TMI 116 - AT - Income Tax

Tribunal directs deletion of addition for non-TDS, emphasizes importance of concrete evidence in tax assessments.

M/s. Siva Valli Vilas Jewellers Pvt. Ltd. Versus The Deputy Commissioner of Income Tax, Pondicherry Circle-6 (2), Puducherry

The Tribunal allowed the appeal, directing the deletion of the addition made under Section 40(a)(ia) for non-deduction of TDS under Section 194C. The ... Additions towards excessive wastage as making charges - - Additions for non deduction of tds u/s 40(a)(ia) - TDS u/s 194C - CIT(A) opined that, TDS has to be deducted, even if a sum is payabe by any other name or accounted under any other head in the books of account. - HELD THAT:- There is no uniform yardstick to quantify making wastage in any process of manufacturing of goods, including manufacturing of gold ornaments. But, it all depends upon nature of goods manufactured or types of gold ornaments manufactured by the parties. AO has considered 1% wastage and to support his stand taken statement from goldsmiths, where they have stated that they have returned 94 gms of gold out of 100 gms gold received from the assessee. Except this, no other independent evidence was brought on record to support his findings. Assessee has filed affidavit from goldsmiths to support its arguments, where they have clearly stated that normal wastage in manufacturing of gold ornaments is between 6 to 7%. AO as well as learned CIT(A) erred in assuming wastage charges at 1% without any evidence to support their stand, ignoring specific evidences filed by the assessee to prove that normal wastage incurred while manufacturing gold ornaments was at 6 to 7%. AO has quantified excessive wastage purely on arbitrary and suspicious manner, which cannot be justified in the given facts and circumstances of the case. Assessee has also produced necessary evidences to prove that it has separately paid making charges to goldsmith and further, deducted TDS, wherever applicable. AO as well as learned CIT(A) were erred in estimating making charges mere relying upon statements of two goldsmiths recorded at the back of the assesse, even though the assessee has demonstrated with evidences that statement given by goldsmiths was incorrect. Further, the learned CIT(A) was also not justified in ipso facto, affirming version of the AO without giving due credence to the facts put forth by the assessee. Wastage allowed by the assessee to goldsmiths is as a matter of business prudence /commercial expediency and the same cannot be called upon to question by the AO unless, he had evidence to prove that the same is excessive. Case laws relied on the assessee in the case of Interactive Avenues (P) Ltd. [2020 (12) TMI 81 - ITAT MUMBAI] supports the case of the assessee that unless deduction is claimed for any expenditure, the provisions of section 40(a)(ia) of the Act cannot be pressed into service at all. The ITAT., Delhi in the case of Green Valley Tower Pvt.Ltd. [2021 (1) TMI 737 - ITAT DELHI] has taken a similar view and held that if assessee has not claimed deduction for any expenditure, then the provisions of section 40(a)(ia) cannot be invoked to disallow such payments. We are of the considered view that addition made by the AO and confirmed by the learned CIT(A) towards estimated making charges by treating wastage claimed by the assessee in process of manufacturing gold ornaments is purely on suspicious and conjecture manner without there being any material evidence and hence, additions made by the Assessing Officer u/s.40(a)(ia) of the Act for non-deduction of TDS u/s.194C of the Act cannot be sustained - we direct the Assessing Officer to delete addition made u/s.40(a)(ia) - Decided in favour of assessee. Issues Involved:1. Disallowance under Section 40(a)(ia) of the Income Tax Act.2. Applicability of Section 194C for TDS on making charges.3. Validity of wastage claims in manufacturing gold ornaments.4. Reliance on statements of goldsmiths and evidentiary support.Detailed Analysis:1. Disallowance under Section 40(a)(ia) of the Income Tax Act:The assessee challenged the disallowance of Rs. 1,64,65,887/- under Section 40(a)(ia) for non-deduction of TDS on making charges. The CIT(A) confirmed the disallowance, stating that the assessee allowed goldsmiths to retain gold as making charges, which should attract TDS under Section 194C. However, the Tribunal noted that the assessee neither debited making charges in the profit and loss account nor credited any amount to the respective parties' accounts. Therefore, the provisions of Section 194C were not applicable, and the disallowance under Section 40(a)(ia) was unjustified.2. Applicability of Section 194C for TDS on making charges:The Assessing Officer treated the excessive wastage of gold as making charges and applied Section 194C for TDS. The CIT(A) supported this view, stating that the goldsmiths returned 94 gms of gold out of 100 gms received, implying 6% was retained as making charges. The Tribunal disagreed, emphasizing that no payment or credit was made in the books, hence Section 194C was not applicable. The Tribunal referenced case laws where it was held that if no deduction is claimed for any expenditure, Section 40(a)(ia) cannot be invoked.3. Validity of wastage claims in manufacturing gold ornaments:The Assessing Officer considered 1% as the standard wastage and treated the excess 5% as making charges. The assessee argued that the wastage in manufacturing gold ornaments varies between 6-7% depending on the type of ornaments. The Tribunal found no merit in the Assessing Officer's estimation of 1% wastage, noting that the assessee provided affidavits from goldsmiths supporting the 6-7% wastage claim. The Tribunal concluded that the Assessing Officer's estimation was arbitrary and not supported by evidence.4. Reliance on statements of goldsmiths and evidentiary support:The Assessing Officer relied on statements from goldsmiths, which the assessee contested with affidavits stating that 6-7% wastage is normal. The Tribunal noted that the statements from goldsmiths were not corroborated by independent evidence and that the affidavits provided by the assessee were more credible. The Tribunal criticized the CIT(A) for affirming the Assessing Officer's view without considering the assessee's evidence.Conclusion:The Tribunal set aside the order of the CIT(A) and directed the Assessing Officer to delete the addition made under Section 40(a)(ia) for non-deduction of TDS under Section 194C. The appeal filed by the assessee was allowed, and the disallowance of making charges was deemed unsustainable due to lack of evidence and arbitrary estimation. The judgment emphasized the importance of concrete evidence over assumptions and conjectures in tax assessments.